Join retail and consumer goods industry experts for these casual ”coffee shop” discussions where The Parker Avery Group team shares insights and realistic advice from past industry experiences and the firm’s many consulting projects. Our podcast features occasional guests from the firm’s roster of retail and CPG clients, along with partners and industry colleagues. Get to know the team’s unique culture and why we form long-term relationships with so many of our clients.
NRF 2026: Key Shifts That Will Decide the Agentic Future
From the floor at NRF 2026, Dan Wittner sits down with Freddy Guard from Snowflake to unpack what retail leaders are really talking about this year.
It’s not just about AI—it’s about making AI real.
In this episode of Talk Retail to Me, they cover:
Why “agentic commerce” has become the word of the show
What retailers are learning about turning AI into real business impact
Why data readiness is still the non-negotiable starting point
How knowledge graphs and business context unlock smarter decisions
What leading tech companies are signaling about the future of commerce
Recorded live at NRF 2026, this conversation cuts through the buzzwords and focuses on what matters for retail executives trying to move from experimentation to results.
14 Jan 2026
What Wowed Us at NRF 2026 (with Helzberg and Zipline)
From holograms and go-karts to voice tech and virtual reality, Day 2 at NRF 2026 offered no shortage of surprises—and even more insight into what truly matters in retail innovation.
In this episode of Talk Retail to Me, we bring together three perspectives—a consultant (Dan Wittner from The Parker Avery Group), a retailer (Ryan Holm from Helzberg), and a solution provider (Dustin Sundy from Zipline)—to share what truly stood out on the show floor.
We talk about why “don’t lead with AI” became the smartest message at NRF, how retailers are using voice and transcription as a new demand signal, and which innovations felt more like “must-have” than “nice-to-have.”
You’ll hear highlights including:
Why problem-first storytelling beats AI-first marketing
The coolest activations on the floor (yes, including holograms and go-karts)
How voice, transcription, and feedback loops are changing store operations
Virtual and augmented reality experiences that delivered value
Giveaways, food trucks, and the fun side of NRF
If you want a fast, honest recap of what mattered most at NRF 2026 (and what you can safely ignore), this episode has you covered.
17 Dec 2025
Retail’s AI Reality Check: Why Data and Adoption Drive Success
Episode Overview
In this episode of Talk Retail To Me, Parker Avery’s chief revenue officer, Dan Wittner, and Blue Yonder's head of global retail strategy, Jim Hull, discuss the evolving landscape of retail, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence, the importance of data quality, and the transformation of store models into fulfillment centers.
They explore the challenges retailers face with labor and the need for dynamic data models to adapt to changing consumer demands. The conversation also highlights the upcoming NRF 2026 Big Show and the excitement surrounding innovations in the retail sector.
Key Takeaways
AI is now a core part of retail strategy and must be tied to business outcomes. The most successful initiatives focus on measurable impact, such as cost reduction, revenue growth, or operational efficiency.
Human adoption is critical to AI success. AI works best when it augments teams and is embraced by users, rather than positioned as a replacement for people.
Data quality and dynamic data models are foundational to modern retail. Clean, consistent data and continuously evolving models are essential for accurate forecasting and decision-making.
Stores are evolving into hybrid fulfillment hubs. Retailers are hyper-focused on redesigning store models to support fulfillment alongside shopping, improving speed, cost, and customer experience.
Labor models must adapt to support fulfillment-enabled stores. New operating models require updated labor standards, expanded skill sets, and more flexible workforce planning.
NRF 2026 will showcase retail innovation moving from concept to reality. The event is expected to highlight proven, market-ready solutions delivering real value at scale.
Episode Highlights
Why most AI projects succeed or fail in retail
How retailers are rethinking demand signals and forecasting
The growing importance of data quality and dynamic data models
The evolution of stores into fulfillment and service hubs
What to expect at NRF 2026 (& meet Parker Avery at booth #2703)
Related Content
Blog Post: Optimizing Data Readiness for AI in Retail
Podcast: Retail’s Data Reckoning: Your First Move in Transformation
Case Study: New Data-Driven Solution Strengthens Grocer’s Competitive Pricing Capabilities
Insights: The Expert Guide to Data Governance in Retail
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